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Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Understanding, Support & Treatment
Understanding ADHD | Common Myths | ADHD vs Autism | Can ADHD Be Managed | How Parents Can Help | How We Support Families | Next Steps
Credit: Understood (Dr Thomas E. Brown)
Understanding ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how children focus, manage impulses, and regulate energy. It is characterised by:
inattention,
hyperactivity and impulsivity,
or both
While every child can be active or distracted at times, ADHD consistently impacts attention, planning, and self-control across home, school, and social settings. We work closely with families to help children with ADHD strengthen focus, confidence, and emotional regulation so they can thrive in daily life.
What ADHD Looks Like in Children
ADHD affects executive functioning, the brain’s ability to organise, plan, and prioritise.
Children with ADHD may experience:
Inattention: difficulty following through on tasks, forgetfulness, losing items frequently.
Hyperactivity: constant movement or talking, difficulty staying seated, fidgeting.
Impulsivity: blurting out answers, interrupting others, acting before thinking.
These traits vary between children and may change as they grow.
The 3 Subtypes of ADHD
Understanding which subtype your child has helps determine the right strategies and therapy plan.
Predominantly Inattentive – Appears distracted or forgetful; struggles to sustain attention or follow instructions.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive – Constant movement, restlessness, or talking; acts without thinking.
Combined – Displays traits of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
Here are some tips from our partner paediatricians on the medical and physiological causes of ADHD.
Common Myths about ADHD
ADHD is often a misunderstood condition. These symptoms, or manifestations of these brain-based challenges, are not intentional nor are they defects in character or personality. Many misconceptions about ADHD can prevent children from getting the help they need.
Below are some common beliefs, or myths, surrounding ADHD:
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Fact: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition and is not caused by bad parenting, although behaviors that arise from ADHD can challenge otherwise effective parenting. Unfortunately, when people see kids being impulsive or not listening to instructions, they assume it is due to a lack of discipline, not realizing that these are signs of a medical condition. That being said, the home environment can influence the symptoms of ADHD to be better or worse.
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Fact: Children with ADHD often try very hard but struggle with focus and self-regulation. This is not a result of laziness or lack of motivation, but stems from a real difficulty in functioning due to the different ways their brain works. The resulting outward behavior, such as being unable to sit still in class or finish their homework, may seem like they are not trying hard enough, but they are in fact trying harder than their peers to pay attention.
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Fact: ADHD symptoms are typically observable from childhood. Hence, most people tend to be diagnosed with ADHD when they are a child. As these children become adults, symptoms might become less apparent. This could be due to the years of learning effective ways to manage or hide their symptoms. But it does not mean that adults are not affected by the condition.
In fact, adult ADHD is believed to be underdiagnosed, with an estimated 2% to 5% of adults having ADHD globally. Consider how often you see a grown-up running around uncontrollably and you get the idea, ADHD appears differently in adults.
The main goal of seeking therapy for ADHD should be to ensure that the individual functions well at every stage of their life (childhood, adolescence, and adulthood) rather than to get off medication as soon as possible. Even though symptoms of ADHD may persist till adulthood, many are still able to lead productive lives.
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Fact: Males with ADHD are more likely to exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity/ impulsivity, such as running wildly and uncontrollably, making them more likely to stand out. In contrast, females with ADHD are more likely to demonstrate symptoms of inattention, such as spacing out. This may be due to how the symptoms are presented between the genders. Thus, they are more likely to be perceived as bored and tend to be underdiagnosed for ADHD.
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Fact: Individuals with ADHD tend to experience difficulties with processes that tap on executive functioning, such as planning and organisation, prioritising, focusing and sustaining attention, as well as regulating emotions and behaviours. In addition, there is an area in our brain, called the anterior cingulate cortex, which helps us realise when we’re about to do or say something we probably shouldn’t. In people with ADHD, it doesn’t quite work like it’s supposed to.
For children with ADHD, everything that comes to their attention will get their attention. This makes daily living difficult for people with ADHD.
Nevertheless, the difficulties faced by children with ADHD are not intentional acts, nor are they defects in character or personality. Despite the challenges, people with ADHD can learn coping skills to improve their social, academic and occupational functioning, making it possible for them to secure and maintain jobs, meaningful relationships and satisfaction with life.
ADHD vs Austism (ASD)
Although ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder share some overlapping features, they are distinct conditions. Understanding the difference helps ensure children receive the right support.
If you’d like to understand more about Autism, read our Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Guide for Parents
Core Difficulty
ADHD: Attention, impulse control, activity level
ASD: Social understanding, communication, flexibility
Repetitive behaviours
ADHD: Less common
ASD: More common
Social Interaction
ADHD: Impulsive or distracted during conversations
ASD: Challenges understanding social cues or tone
Responses to Change
ADHD: Distracted by novelty
ASD: Distressed by change
Some children may have both ADHD and ASD — professional assessments can help identify overlapping needs and guide therapy.
The Connors 3rd Edition (Connors 3), Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and Conners’ Continuous Auditory Test of Attention (Conners CATA) are neuropsychological tests that a child clinical psychologist uses to assess if a child has ADHD. Click here for more information on ADHD assessments.
Can childhood ADHD be managed?
Yes, ADHD can be managed!
When a child has been diagnosed with ADHD, parents usually have concerns about which intervention would be best suited for their child. It is recommended that parents work closely with others who are involved in their child’s life - teachers, healthcare providers, therapists & other family members to ensure the best intervention plan for their child.
There are 2 primary interventions for children with ADHD.
Stimulant medication
Stimulants may be effective in areas such as increasing sustained attention, persistence in work and impulse control. However, for children younger than 6 years old, medication is not recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parent training in behavior management first.
Medication can affect children differently and some may experience side effects such as reduced appetite and sleeping problems. Hence, medication is a tool, not a cure and is more likely to be effective when combined with therapy.
Behavioral Parent Training (BPT)
An evidence based therapy approach where parents are taught positive reinforcements in order to improve their child’s behavior. Parents are taught to use more effective discipline methods through the manipulation of antecedents (rules & instructions) and consequences (e.g. rewards & time-outs) ]
This has been shown to effectively reduce disruptive child behavior and parent-child conflicts. Furthermore, it enhances parenting skills for parents and helps to promote prosocial & self-regulating behaviors.
How Parents Can Support Your Child
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping children manage ADHD.
Create predictable routines: structure helps children feel safe and focused.
Break tasks into smaller steps: makes goals more achievable.
Use positive reinforcement: reward effort and persistence. Read more about a token economy here.
Give clear instructions: short, simple directions work best.
Work closely with therapists and teachers: consistency strengthens progress.
Take care of yourself: supporting a child with ADHD can be demanding, your self-care matters.
How We Support Families
We believe in partnering with parents to help children with ADHD build focus, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Our approach includes:
Personalised therapy plans based on your child’s strengths and needs.
Parent collaboration to continue progress at home and school.
Multi-disciplinary support from psychologists, occupational therapists, and art therapists.
Skills-based therapy to develop emotional regulation, attention, and independence.
Ongoing family support to guide you through challenges and celebrate progress.
Next Steps: Support, Don’t Enable
The most powerful thing you can do is support your child with empathy. ADHD is not laziness or misbehaviour, it’s a different way of processing the world.
Help your child by guiding, not controlling. Celebrate small wins and encourage effort instead of pointing out mistakes. When frustration rises, pause and return with calm.
Children with ADHD are often creative, intuitive, and full of energy. Be their advocate, reminding them, and the world, of their strengths.
If you believe your child may have ADHD, our child Clinical Psychologists are here to help. We provide ADHD assessments and therapy tailored to your child’s needs.
You’re not alone — early support makes all the difference.